How To Make Chamomile Tea: A Step-By-Step Guide

Soothing is the synonym of Chamomile tea. It helps you relax and also helps you with your digestion.

Making a cup of Chamomile tea is a lot easier than you think. You just need water, Chamomile tea leaves, and a pot! For sure, drinking Chamomile tea makes you feel lighter, however, some people even like preparing a cup as they say it is very therapeutic.

So, let's jump on to the instructions on making yourself a perfect and relaxing cup of Chamomile tea.

1. Dried or Fresh Chamomile Flowers

These little blossoms, resembling daisies, are famed for their ability to soothe the nerves. Steeping them in hot water produces a mild apple scent that is also floral and slightly sweet. Using 1-2 teaspoons per cup creates a balanced tea that has sedative effects and is good for sleeping. They can be easily found in your local tea shops or health food stores.

2. Boiling Water

It is recommended that you brew your chamomile tea using filtered water. To maintain the delicate taste of the chamomile flowers, the boiled water should be allowed to cool slightly before steeping. This means a cup of (8 ounces) of water per serving so that the tea does not become too strong or too weak. You may also use filtered bottled water, but, do not use sparkling water.

3. Honey or Sugar (Optional)

Natural sweeteners such as honey or sugar are capable of elevating the taste of chamomile tea without killing its delicateness. For instance, honey makes it more rich and warm while sugar adds plain sweetness. You also have to sprinkle in small quantities as Chamomile has a soft palate otherwise.

4. Lemon Slices

Having a wedge of lemon in chamomile tea adds another taste that is bright and tangy complementing its floral notes. The attributing citrus flavor can improve the soothing profile of a cup of this drink into something more alive. A little squeezing of lemon juice can even tone down sweetness if honey or sugar is used.

1. Kettle or Pot: This is for boiling the water.
2. Tea Infuser or Teapot: For steeping chamomile.
3. Cup or Mug: To serve the tea.
4. Strainer: If you’re using no infuser, you will remove any loose chamomile flowers.
5. Spoon: This can be used to mix other optional things like sugar and honey.

Now that you have all the ingredients and the tools needed to make a soothing cup of Chamomile tea, the following are the detailed steps to make one:

Fill your kettle or pot with only clean, filtered water because tea flavors rely heavily on water quality. The water should be brought to boil completely.

Then, let it sit for about one minute after reaching boiling point. Boiling water before steeping it with chamomile flowers is important to prevent the destruction of sensitive chamomile petals caused by heat, which can result in an even-tasting and less bitter chamomile drink.

According to your preference for a strong cup, roughly take 1-2 spoons of the Chamomile (dried or fresh). If you own a tea infuser, put them inside it. Alternatively, if intending to sieve them later, you may opt to put the flowers in the cup directly.

Loose herbs enable a more customized tea than pre-packaged bags as their scent is soft and sweet like that of any flower.

Then, pour hot water on chamomile flowers in your cup, mug, or teapot. You can cover either of them to retain steam, thereby preserving essential oils that give tea its unique taste.

Depending on how strong you want it, let the tea steep for a period of 5 to 7 minutes. Longer infusion times produce a stronger and more intense flavor whereas shorter ones yield milder and subtler tastes.

Now, this step is optional, but if you want, add some honey or sugar if you take tea that is a bit sweeter. Stir in your preferred quantity of sweetening agent until it is completely dissolved while the tea is still warm.

This is because honey provides a rich and warm flavor while sugar provides plain sweetness. By doing this at this stage, all flavors are given time to blend well with a whiff of chamomile’s floral notes which brings out its full potential.

For an additional level of taste, you can include a slice of lemon or a little squirt of lemon juice. The lemon gives a brilliant, bitter hint that looks good with the chamomile’s flowery sugariness.

You can also add some mint leaves if you want some freshness in your tea. The mint behaves as a soothing agent which goes hand in hand with the comforting effects that come from chamomile.

Now, strain your tea before drinking if you have brewed the chamomile in your cup without a tea infuser. To catch the loose flowers, pour through a fine mesh strainer into another cup.

This is done so that you drink the tea as pure as possible and avoid unpleasant little bits of flowers or stems that make it taste bad and feel uncomfortable during drinking.

Your chamomile tea is ready, feel free to enjoy it and even add some ice cubes!

You may take it hot for soothing purposes, especially before bed. If you would like iced tea, you should leave it in the fridge for a few minutes and then serve it with ice. Chamomile tea does not contain any caffeine, that's why it is so good when trying to unwind.

Promotes Better Sleep 

Chamomile tea is generally effective in supporting quality sleep. The tea contains apigenin, an antioxidant that binds certain brain receptors associated with relaxation enabling one not to have poor sleep. Thus drinking chamomile tea helps improve sleep and hence serves as a solution for insomnia.

Moreover, unlike other sleep medications chamomile does not lead to addiction therefore it can be taken for long without causing any form of dependence hence helpful in averting bouts of insomnia.

Reduces Anxiety and Stress

Soothing qualities make chamomile a wonderful anxiolytic that helps to reduce anxiety. Calming down the nervous system may reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) in the body. Hence, sipping chamomile tea can help in times of extreme tension or when anxiety levels are high. 

This property is also helpful in patients suffering from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) due to its mild sedative effect thus improving mood and general emotional health.

Helps in Digestion

Chamomile tea is great for digestion as it helps with indigestion, gas, and bloating. It contains recovering properties, which make the muscles in the intestines calm to reduce pain and support digestion at the same time.

Besides that, it may help relieve symptoms of irritated bowel by reducing intestinal inflammation. Plus, drinking chamomile tea after meals may help prevent uneasy stomach issues hence, it is a natural remedy for maintaining gut-specific health.

Eases Menstrual Pain

Chamomile tea helps to calm the muscles in your uterus thus reducing cramps and other pains helping with menstruation. During menstruation, drinking chamomile tea can also help in balancing mood swings promoting a calmer mood, and reducing anxiety. 

Improves Skin Health

Drinking Chamomile tea is good for your skin as it helps in rejuvenation. Did you know that Chamomile tea also helps in reducing redness on your face and also helps with many skin conditions as it is anti-inflammatory?

They fight the free radicals that lead to premature aging and skin damage. Regular use of chamomile tea on the face or consumption may help your body to produce the amount of collagen. Furthermore, it can be noted that chamomile is a good bacteria killer thus preventing infections.

Helps Control Blood Sugar Levels

Components like flavonoids are found in chamomile tea, which is responsible for its heart-protective qualities. They can aid in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels, both of which are significant in heart health. Chamomile may help prevent cardiovascular infections and strokes by reducing LDL (low-density lipoprotein) levels and preventing artery blockage. 

Helps with the Cold

Chamomile tea is a popular home treatment for cold symptoms because of its anti-inflammatory and calming properties. It aids in sore throat relief, nasal congestion suppression, and relief from a long-lasting cough.

The steam from hot chamomile tea can also assist in clearing the sinuses, which makes it easier to breathe. Also essential for recovery is chamomile’s ability to mildly sedate, thus promoting sleep overall. 

Good for your heart

Flavonoids, the heart-protective ingredients are present in Chamomile tea. The flavonoids can help to reduce blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels which are important factors in keeping a healthy heart. Its relaxing effect aids in reducing stress which again is crucial for good heart health. Regular intake of chamomile tea can lead to a better functioning cardiovascular system.

Classic Hot Brew

As per the instructions given above, just steep the Chamomile flower petals, dried or fresh, in boiling water, squirt some lemon, add some mint, and for some sweetness add 1 teaspoon of sugar or honey. This is an ideal drink to take during relaxing moments or before sleep.

Iced Chamomile Tea

Brew the tea and then cool it down before adding ice. During the summer, consider serving chilled tea topped with fresh mint leaves while including either an orange or lemon slice as your choice of topping instead.

Chamomile Latte

By steeping chamomile tea well and combining milk, which can be both vegan or non-vegan which is then foamed, one can make chamomile even more delicious. The drink may be sweetened with honey or syrup with some vanilla, and finally, sprinkled with a small amount of cinnamon or nutmeg. This classy but cozy drink is ideal in the morning or as a midday refreshment.

Chamomile-Infused Mocktail

To prepare a refreshing mocktail, take cold chamomile tea and mix it with sparkling water, add some apple/pear juice as well as rosemary or thyme. Serve in a tall glass filled with ice for an elegant yet revitalizing drink that suits well during formal occasions.

Chamomile and Lavender Blend

A floral and aromatic tea can be made by mixing dried lavender with chamomile flowers literally in a cup. You may serve it in mugs or chilled glasses, adding a piece of fresh petal on top. The combination is particularly soothing and complements light snack cookies.

Herbal Chamomile Blend

Chamomile can be combined with other herbs such as peppermint, lemon balm, or hibiscus so that your herbal mix can have a unique flavor. Just enjoy it together with pieces of fresh ginger root or some berries to bring out its taste. It is a flexible version which results in an all-day drink that can suit any time.

Chamomile and Honey Lemon Toddy

For a soothing night, prepare chamomile tea with some honey, lemon juice, and dry ginger. You may add some whiskey too for a warm drink which ensures comfort and helps in relieving stress after long hours at work.

Chamomile-Infused Desserts

Make desserts with the base being chamomile tea such as whychłoon panna cotta, ice cream, or sorbet. The floral notes of this drink give it a light flavor to be nicely used in with creamy types of texture and light sweet dishes.

Chamomile Tea with Fresh Fruit

You can serve chamomile tea with some fresh seasonal fruits such as berries, peaches, or apples. The gentle taste of the tea gets along better with the fruit’s natural sugariness hence this becomes a suitable light snack or breakfast option.